Former NFL quarterback John Elway and guest arrive at the Maxim Magazine party in conjunction with the grand opening of the Stone Rose Lounge at The Fairmont Princess Hotel, Friday, Feb.1, 2008 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

** FILE ** In this Feb. 1, 2008 file photo, Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway and Paige Green arrive at the Maxim Magazine party in conjunction with the grand opening of the Stone Rose Lounge at The Fairmont Princess Hotel in Scottsdale, Ariz. According to published reports, Elway and Green are engaged. The Rocky Mountain News reported Friday, Sept. 26, 2008, that the two-time Super Bowl winner proposed to 41-year-old Paige Green during a trip to Italy last week.

Elway did not return calls today, but close friend Craig Andrisen confirmed that the Hall-of-Famer became engaged to his girlfriend, Paige Green, while in Italy last week.

Elway met the former Raiders cheerleader at Marcus Allen’s golf tournament in L.A. three years ago. But it wasn’t until he saw her later in an infomercial that he called her. They’ve been keeping company ever since.

Elway, 48, had been married for 19 years to Janet Elway when the couple divorced in 2003. Janet Elway is active in Denver’s charity scene.

John Elway remains a Colorado icon. He was set to be honored Saturday night at the Bridge Project Gala.

Green, 41, moved to Denver to be with Elway last year. In a recent interview with Denver Magazine, she recalled their first date.

“Well, we’ve all been on first dates,” Green said. “It either gets better or worse from there. In this case, it got good enough that I moved to Denver a year later.”

At the time of the interview, Green was philosophical about her future with the QB.

“We pretty much live one day at a time,” she said.

Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Husted also appears Tuesdays and Fridays on “Good Day Colorado” on Fox 31. You can reach him at 303-954-1486 or at bhusted@ denverpost.com. Take a peek at Husted’s next column at blogs.denverpost.com/husted.

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